Police release video of coward punch attack

Police have released video showing a man being hit with a ‘coward punch’ that forced him to undergo emergency surgery.

Officers hope the footage, filmed in Civic on October 30, will help them hunt down three men allegedly involved in the vicious assault.

The video shows two groups of men, about a dozen in total, brawling in a street.

Several punches are thrown before a man charges in from the side of the street and punches the victim in the back of the head.

The victim falls to the ground.

The victim’s jaw was broken and he underwent emergency surgery at Canberra Hospital, Constable Jarrad Drennan told Fairfax media.

"It's a sickening act and we won't tolerate it in the ACT," he said.

Police are urging anyone who may have witnessed the incident who have not yet spoken to police, or who can identify the offenders to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or via act.crimestoppers.com.au.